Are car seats difficult to install on planes?

[mommy2savannah]

We will be flying to the World w/ dd4 and ds6 months. I have purchased a seat for the baby. We will be bringing our Eddie Bauer car seat (not an infant seat). My dh is not the best when it comes to installing carseats. Can any one share some tips on how to install? Does it go rear facing just like in the car? I don't want to seem silly by not knowing, I just want to be prepared!

 

[gianna2006]

I think both car seats just go in front facing....but I would call the airline in advance to make sure!!!

 

[5 for WDW]

We fly SW and we always have a car seat for our children until they are 4. Yes, they are a pain to install on a plane. I'm not going to lie to you. But, not enough that we would not have one for our child.

I am not sure about the forward facing thing since my kids were each over 1 and we just faced them forward. (On the plane, not in the car). I have only seen the infant style car seats that you carry rear facing on a plane. Good question, I would call your airline.

SW required my DD's seat to be in the window seat when we flew to WDW in September.

SW allowed Pre board for families with kids under 5 when we flew so that was a plus with the car seat. It gave me time to get it strapped in without worrying that I was holding someone up. It helped if I threaded the strap in one side of the seat and DH grabbed it at the other end. There is not alot of slack on the seatbelts and my car seat did not have much hand room to get the seatbelt through.

HTH..Have a great trip!!

 

[Disney Ron]

When DS flew at 5 months on SW his carrier carseat was installed rearfacing. Child in carseat is always at the window seat. The carseat was very easy to install rearfacing, belt just threaded through.

I had more trouble installing the convertible carseat forward facing when he was 11 months. Like the prior poster said there is not much slack, and fishing the belt in back of the seat took some time.

Good luck, we have love traveling with our little man...he has slept on every flight!!!
Mrs. Disney Ron

 

[thunderbug548]

I would put your 6mo RF for sure. If you are having difficulty with the seat belt being short, you can ask for a seat belt extender. I've used one on my Marathon before.

 

[tlbwriter]

My only tip is that you might need to flip the seatbelt buckle over so it's upside down - sometimes it's difficult to uninstall the seat if you dont do this.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Here is a great link about using car seats on airplanes, and another about using them rear facing.

I would most definitely use your seat rear facing. Ds is going to turn 2yo during our trip next month and he's going to be rearfacing on the plane...just like he is in the car!

Dh generally installs our seats on the plane, but I may end up doing so this trip. He doesn't usually have problems w/ it. The first link has some hints about turning the airplane's buckle a half twist so that it releases towards the airplane seat instead of the car seat. This is so it is easier to UNinstall once you the plane lands.

If you have any questions after you check out the links, give a yell. I'm a car seat tech and have flown 5 round trips w/ dd (now 6yo)...all in car seats. Our trip next month will be the first time she flies w/o one!

 

[mom2alix]

Another tip is to ask the FA for a seat belt extender (That way the buckle won't be up behind the seat). It makes it a LOT easier to uninstall.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's not difficult once you know how, but the smaller you are, the easier it will be, because there isn't much maneuvering room. Generally women can do it more easily than men.

Here you go: 1] To get the carseat onto the plane without whacking people, carry it upside down and sideways (think of the number 7). 2] Ask the FA for a seatbelt extension as you get on the plane. 3] The seat must be in the window position. Set it down and recline the aircraft seat as far back as it will go. 4] Attach the extender, thread the belt through the carseat, and buckle it, with the extender opened as loose as possible, and the buckle flipped a half-turn. 4] Put the carseat in the right position (rear-facing in your case), and pull up on the loose end of the belt until it is fully seated. The buckle will probably disappear behind the carseat. 5] Lastly, pull the aircraft seat into the full upright position again; this will take up the remaining slack.

Be prepared for the possibiility of being questioned by the FA about the rear-facing seat. They don't like them because they keep the seat in front of it from reclining, but you *are* supposed to install it according to the mfr. instructions.

 

[mommy2savannah]

thanks to all... i hope i will be able to do this the right way!!!

 

[Colinsmom]

Before you go, get out your car seat manual and practice installing the seat RF with just a lap belt. Learn where the seat belt goes and such. Then you'll have it down pat by the time you get on the airplane and install the seat.